About Gift Nifty

Gift Nifty with ICICI Direct

GIFT Nifty (earlier known as SGX Nifty) is a futures contract based on the Nifty 50 index. It trades on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) located in GIFT City, Gujarat.

It gives an early indication of how the Nifty 50 might perform when Indian stock markets open, especially based on global market trends.

Other Indices
www.google.com
10
LTP,FIFTYTWO_WK_LOW,FIFTYTWO_WK_HIGH
MCAP,INDEX_VALUE
regionfilter_click
Global Indices
https://www.icicidirect.com/NonLoginAPI/GetGiftNiftyGlobalIndices
View All Indices
Index Name,Last Traded,Country,Change
NAME&FLAG_NAME&WORLDINDICES_DATE,INDEX_VALUE,COUNTRY,CHANGE_VALUE
Indian Indices
https://www.icicidirect.com/NonLoginAPI/GetIndianIndices
Index Name,Last Traded,52 Wk High,52 Wk Low,1M Returns,6M Returns,1Y Returns
COMPNAME,LTP,FIFTYTWO_WK_HIGH,FIFTYTWO_WK_LOW,one_month_return,SIX_MONTHS_RETURN,ONE_YEAR_RETURN
/en/equity/index/nse/COMPNAME/CO_CODE
style
no-padding-top

GIFT NIFTY trading Timings

The GIFT NIFTY trading operates in two sessions daily, providing nearly 19 hours of GIFT NIFTY market time for global investors to trade in the Indian index. This extended GIFT NIFTY opening time allows for continuous price discovery, boosting GIFT NIFTY India's reach.

h2
true
threeCol
GIFT NIFTY Trading Session
GIFT NIFTY Opening Time (IST)
GIFT NIFTY Closing Time (IST)
Session 1
6:30 AM
3:40 PM
Session 2
4:35 PM
2:45 AM (Next Day)
style
no-padding-top, no-padding-bottom

GIFT NIFTY History & Timelines

GIFT NIFTY was earlier known as SGX NIFTY, traded on the Singapore Exchange. In 2023, it was renamed and shifted to NSE International Exchange in GIFT City, Gujarat. The shift centralized NIFTY contract trading at NSE IFSC, directing liquidity to India while improving access and boosting efficiency for investors in Indian equity derivatives.

Key Timeline Highlights:

How does GIFT NIFTY work?

The GIFT NIFTY is a futures contract that functions as a USD-denominated derivative based on the NIFTY 50 index. It is traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) in Gujarat's GIFT City, replacing the former SGX NIFTY. The mechanism of GIFT NIFTY trading is designed for global investors, operating for nearly 19 hours a day across two sessions, allowing traders to react to overnight developments in Asian, European, and US markets. This extended window enables continuous price discovery and hedging. For Indian markets, the GIFT NIFTY price action often provides an essential clue about how the domestic NIFTY 50 index is likely to open, making the GIFT NIFTY trading activity a vital pre-market indicator.

What is the impact of GIFT NIFTY on the Indian Stock Market?

The GIFT NIFTY has a significant impact on the Indian stock market, primarily by acting as a crucial pre-market indicator for the domestic NIFTY 50 index in GIFT NIFTY India. Traders closely watch the GIFT NIFTY price movements overnight because its trend offers a strong GIFT NIFTY prediction of how the NIFTY 50 will open on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Positive GIFT NIFTY news often signals a higher opening for the NIFTY 50, and vice-versa. This mechanism centralizes index derivatives trading in India, enhancing regulatory oversight and improving liquidity, which attracts more international investment into the GIFT NIFTY ecosystem and, by extension, the broader Indian equity market.

GIFT NIFTY vs NIFTY 50

h3
true
threeCol
Feature
GIFT NIFTY
NIFTY 50
What it is
A futures contract based on the NIFTY 50 index. It is essentially a derivative product.
The underlying benchmark index of the top 50 large-cap stocks in GIFT NIFTY India.
Currency
Contracts are denominated in USD.
The index is valued in INR.
Trading Location
Traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) in GIFT City, Gujarat.
Traded on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai, India.
Primary Users
Global investors, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), and institutions seeking offshore exposure to the Indian market.
Domestic and international investors trading directly on the Indian exchange.
Role in Market
Acts as a global pre-market indicator, with its GIFT NIFTY price movements setting the tone for the NIFTY 50's opening.
Represents the actual performance of the Indian market and is the basis for the GIFT NIFTY SGX futures' value.
Trading Hours
Operates nearly 21 19 hours a day across two sessions, covering global market hours. This is a key difference in GIFT NIFTY vs SGX NIFTY.
Trades during the regular Indian market hours (typically 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM IST).
style
no-padding-top
Frequently Asked Questions
5
What are the margin requirements and contract specifications for GIFT NIFTY?
The GIFT NIFTY futures contract is traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) with a standard lot size of 50 units of the NIFTY 50 Index. The contracts have monthly expiry. Trading is conducted over extended hours in two sessions.
Are GIFT Nifty and Nifty 50 the same?
Traders use GIFT NIFTY to gauge early market sentiment for India’s NIFTY 50 index. It operates during extended hours, allowing global participants to monitor price movements, analyse the GIFT NIFTY chart, and adjust positions. GIFT NIFTY trading helps in forming predictions before the Indian market opens, based on global cues.
Who can trade in GIFT NIFTY?
GIFT NIFTY is primarily designed for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Eligible Foreign Investors (EFIs). These global participants can trade futures  contracts on the NIFTY 50 index using USD on the NSE IX platform in GIFT City. Crucially, Indian retail investors are not permitted to trade directly due to foreign exchange regulations.
Which exchanges offer GIFT NIFTY for trading?
The GIFT NIFTY futures contracts are offered exclusively on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) in GIFT City, Gujarat, India. They are the replacement for the earlier SGX NIFTY contracts, effectively consolidating the offshore trading of the NIFTY 50 index in a single Indian-regulated exchange.
What are the tax implications of trading in GIFT NIFTY?
Trading in GIFT NIFTY under IFSC regulations offers major tax benefits, especially for non-residents. Key exemptions include zero Capital Gains Tax on derivatives, and no levies like Securities Transaction Tax (STT), CTT, or stamp duty, making it highly attractive for foreign investors.
What is the importance of GIFT NIFTY in Stock Market?
GIFT NIFTY serves as a crucial pre-market indicator for India's NIFTY 50, reflecting overnight global cues and market sentiment. It helps international investors manage risk and provides nearly 19 hours of trading, enhancing the accessibility and global integration of the Indian financial market.
Can foreign investors access GIFT NIFTY trading?
Yes, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and other eligible foreign entities can access GIFT NIFTY trading through brokers registered with the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX). This USD-denominated contract, housed in the GIFT City IFSC, offers them a seamless, tax-efficient way to trade the NIFTY 50 index.
What are the advantages of trading on the GIFT NIFTY exchange?
The key advantages of GIFT NIFTY trading are extended trading hours (nearly 19 hours), offering exposure to global market movements. It provides significant tax benefits to non-resident investors, including zero capital gains tax. Additionally, trading is USD-denominated, which removes Indian Rupee currency risk for foreign participants.
What are the risks of trading on the GIFT NIFTY exchange?
Trading on the GIFT NIFTY exchange involves risks such as high volatility, extended trading hours, and exposure to global market fluctuations. Liquidity may vary across sessions
What are the margin requirements and contract specifications for GIFT NIFTY?
The GIFT NIFTY futures contract is traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) with a standard lot size of 50 units of the NIFTY 50 Index. The contracts have monthly expiry. Trading is conducted over extended hours in two sessions.
style
no-padding-top

*Please note Brokerage would not exceed the SEBI prescribed limit.

style
no-padding-top, no-padding-bottom